ProviderHIE is a convenient electronic service that supports the exchange of patient health information among physicians, hospitals, long-term care facilities, laboratories, imaging centers, and other health care facilities.

Providers will have easy and immediate access to your personal health information

More timely care, because physicians won’t have to wait for your medical information to come from another provider

Reduced duplicate medical procedures

For Patients

What is an HIE?A Health Information Exchange (HIE) is a convenient electronic service that allows healthcare providers at multiple sites to have access to a patient’s EMR.

Why is an HIE important?An HIE is important because health care providers need your health information to accurately diagnose and treat you whenever and wherever needed. This secure technology will provide your physicians with access to your medical record. This is especially helpful during emergency situations.

Benefits of participating in the HIE include:

Improved quality and coordination of your care

Providers will have easy and immediate access to your personal health information

More timely care, because physicians won’t have to wait for your medical information to come from another provider

Reduced duplicate medical procedures

What kind of health information will be shared through the HIE?Participating providers will share your general health information. Federal and state laws, including but not limited to HIPAA, protect the release of sensitive health information. Sensitive health information generally will not be shared; that includes, but is not limited to, information related to behavioral health, drug/alcohol/substance abuse, sexual abuse, genetic testing, HIV/STDs and adoption.

How is my health information protected in the HIE?Participating providers utilize a combination of safeguards to protect your personal health information. All providers must abide by policies that govern protection of health information. In addition, providers must abide by both federal and state laws related to privacy. Technical safeguards also are in place to ensure that your health information is secure and your privacy is protected.

Can I choose not to participate in the HIE?Yes. “Opting out” of the HIE is your choice. If you choose to opt out, your health information will not be shared among health care providers through the HIE. Instead, your providers will continue to share your information by phone, fax, mail or limited computer networks. You can opt out using the form provided in this brochure.

Participating in the HIE is voluntary. Your health information will be included unless you opt out. Please read this notice carefully and decide if you want to participate. It is your information and your choice.

Opting outIf you decide to opt out of the HIE, you still can receive health care. Participating in the HIE is not a requirement. If you choose to opt out, your provider may not have your most complete and up-to-date information related to your care when needed.

Any decision to opt out of the HIE does not affect the sharing of your personal health information among your providers through other methods.

How can I opt out of the HIE?If you choose, you may opt out by completing the Opt-Out Form and returning it to:

Can I change my mind at a later date?Yes. If you decide to participate in the HIE now and you change your mind at a later time, you can opt out. If you choose to opt out now and you decide at a later time that you want to participate, you can opt in by completing the Opt Back In Form. Be aware that if you opt back in, all of the information that has been gathered by participating providers since you opted out will be available for sharing through the HIE.

For Providers

What is a health information exchange?A health information exchange, or HIE, is the technology that supports the collaboration of health information among physician practices, hospitals, long-term care facilities, labs, radiology centers, and other health care institutions. HIE allows delivery of the right health information to the right place at the right time, providing safer, more timely, efficient, patient-centered care.

The most common types of health information shared are:

Demographics

Immunizations

Medications

Allergies to medications and other allergens

Laboratory and radiology results

Diagnoses

Emergency department and other visits to health care providers

Discharge summaries and provider reports

Who has access to patient information shared by the HIE members?Only providers connected to ProviderHIE who have a need to access a patient’s information will be able to view the clinical data.

How secure is patient health information shared by providers in the HIE?Your patient’s health care information is highly secure. In fact, it's much more secure being shared via the HIE than it would be if it were being sent by mail or by fax.

All member organizations and their health care providers must abide by State and Federal privacy laws, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, the Privacy Act of 1974 and the security provisions for health information in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Additionally, all ProviderHIE members use state-of-the-art information technology to keep health information safe and secure. Only participating health care providers who have a need to view patient health records will have privileges to the HIE.

What if my patient doesn’t want his/her information in the HIE?Patients who do not want their encounter to be viewable in the HIE may choose to not participate or “opt out.” Part of the connection process will include communication and training on patient consent.

How will being connected to ProviderHIE help my organization meet Meaningful Use requirements?Sharing information on the HIE can facilitate meeting Meaningful Use requirements by transmitting health information that another provider has the ability to read, which can be verified by CMS.

Will ProviderHIE share information with other organizations?While most immediate care occurs within our local community, health care providers also may need to view health information for patients who live outside our community. The HIE will serve as the gateway for your organization to share information across the Palmetto Health network, South Carolina and, eventually, beyond.

Join now!For more information, to schedule a demonstration, or to begin the connection process, please contact us at: